Raphael's Village

A new story from a new contributor. We hope you enjoy this cautionary tale set in a world that is both far off and quite close at the same time. Fiction Editor

The Vow, by Heather Gregson

The exhausted and battered dragons gathered around the Sage at the waterfall clearing. The Sage was old and his face greying, his scales battle-worn and their color fading. "We must find a way to end this war. Our numbers are too few and I fear we will not survive much longer."

"There is a way," the dragon princess said.

"It is too dangerous," Herensuge, a fierce young male dragon protested, cutting the princess off.

"We have no other option," the dragon princess continued. "Men have become stronger and more numerous than we could have ever imagined. If we do not try, our kind shall be no more."

The Sage sighed. He knew the princess was right. Just as he knew Herensuge was right. The dragons had just one chance for survival but it was as dangerous as waging war with the humans. It could cost them dearly.

"I have watched one for some time now. I believe he will make the vow. I believe he can be trusted to honor that vow," the dragon princess said, while the Sage remained in silent thought. "Sage, we must try. Dragons have been in the world since the dawn of time. We cannot allow ourselves to be destroyed for the vanity and glory of men."

"If he makes the vow but does not honor it, you are doomed," the Sage cautioned.

"If he makes the vow and does not honor it, we are all doomed," the princess replied wisely.

The Sage looked deep into the green eyes of the princess. Her eyes were bright, clear and strong but they were also determined. For her it was worth risking everything, to save the few of them who survived.

"Your eyes have always reminded me of the hills that surround us. It shall be done."

*****

King Andalf stood on the balcony and looked out over his lands. He had achieved peace with all the neighboring lands and his people prospered. Only two tasks remained undone, the end of the dragons and his choosing a wife. Andalf had more confidence that he would slay the last dragon before he found a wife. Many a princess had come hoping to be his queen but none had been what he desired in a queen. Yes, they were beautiful and possessed great wealth but beauty fades and his own wealth was great. He wanted a queen who had a sharp mind, a quick wit and a strength that equaled his. Not strength on the battlefield, but strength of character and strength of heart. To date, none had even shown a glimmer of hope.

"My Lord, a princess has come seeking an audience."

Andalf turned to the young page. Another empty minded, empty spirited, would-be-bride to waste his time. "Escort her to the hall. I shall be down." The page bowed and departed. Andalf cast one last look over his vast kingdom and sighed. The sooner he dismissed this princess, the sooner he could set about the easier of his two remaining tasks, ridding the world of dragons.

He entered the hall and took his seat on his throne. He looked at the tall, black-haired woman standing before him. Her stance was proud and strong, her green eyes sharp, clear and intelligent. Perhaps there would be more to this princess than he had thought.

"My Lord, may I present Princess Malandra," the page announced.

Malandra inclined her head and gave a small curtsey, her eyes never leaving Andalf's. "A gift from those I represent," Malandra said, making an offering of a large, perfect diamond.

"An impressive gift," Andalf said, accepting the gem.

"If one is impressed by such things," Malandra countered.

"I am more impressed by your carriage and demeanor. Your stature indicates great strength, pride and nobility. Your speech, intelligence. And your eyes are alert and spirited." Andalf liked
this princess. Oh yes, he liked Malandra very much. Perhaps ridding the world of dragons would be his last task yet undone.

*****

The wedding of King Andalf and Princess Malandra soon arrived and was a grand affair by all standards. The two stood before the archbishop and repeated their vows. Just as Andalf was about to speak his, Malandra spoke. "I would ask for one vow today. One vow to stand above all others."

Surprised by this, Andalf inclined his head. "If it is within my powers to grant the vow you seek, I shall."

"Declare peace with the dragons and kill no more. They are the last of their kind and are as much deserving of life as all others."

Andalf looked at this woman who was almost his wife. Yes, for her he would declare peace with the dragons and never kill another one. "I vow."

The war with the dragons was ended. For ten years the great beasts lived in peace and Malandra and Andalf found contentment with each other.

*****

On the ten year anniversary of the day Malandra had come to Andalf's kingdom, she walked out the main doors of the castle.

"Are you leaving me, my Queen?" Andalf asked in surprise, meeting her at the threshold.

"No, just taking a short trip to see an old friend."

"I shall summon a royal escort."

"There is no need. I have no fear traveling in your lands. I shall return to you, have no fear my husband." Malandra kissed her husband.

She walked deep into the woods. She inhaled the earthy smells that surrounded her and sighed. She was home. There was little need to pay attention to where she was going. She could find this place on instinct, the waterfall clearing. Here, stretched in peaceful sleep, was the old Sage.

"Your steps are silent," he said, opening an eye.

"You look well." Malandra stroked the old Sage's brow.

"Ten years of peace does wonders, even for the old. As much as I have missed you, there is another who has missed you with every breath he has drawn." Herensuge emerged from the trees and the Sage departed.

"My love," Malandra sighed, rushing to the fierce dragon before her. "I have missed you every day. You have been well?"

"It has been what it has been," Herensuge answered, his voice bitter.

"These ten years are but a breath to us. The lifetime I give Andalf, one sleep in our lifetime. There is peace. Dragons are safe. You cannot deny that this separation is worth it."

"Do you love this King Andalf?"

"I am fond of him and have grown to care deeply for him. But no, you and you alone are the one I do, I shall and I will always love." Malandra sat, resting her head on the great dragon's shoulder. Herensuge closed his eyes and sighed. He leaned into Malandra's soft touch.

"It is time for me to return to the castle," Malandra said, as she rose to her feet hours later. She placed one last gentle touch on Herensuge and disappeared into the forest. For the first time in ten years, Herensuge slept deep and peacefully.

King Andalf sat hidden in the dense underbrush. He had not wanted to follow his wife but had done so anyway. This was where she had gone on the anniversary of her arrival into his life, into his heart --to the dragons. She had even declared her love for this one. In his heart, Andalf had always known his wife did not love him as he loved her. She was warm, caring and affectionate, but she always held a part of herself back. Now Andalf knew why. In a twisted abomination of love, Malandra was in love with a dragon.

Andalf stayed hidden until the moon reached its pinnacle high in the sky. He emerged into the clearing and drew his sword as he approached the sleeping Herensuge. The midnight bells tolled far off in the distance. Herensuge opened his eyes and Andalf's sword fell.

With a malevolent pride Andalf returned to the castle, dragging a litter with its grizzly cargo, the head of Herensuge. Approaching the castle, Andalf could see something was wrong. An unnatural silence had fallen over the castle and a crowd was gathered in the courtyard.

"Make way for the King," a voice called out.

"Your Majesty, the Queen," a lady in waiting called out. Andalf hurried to the castle steps and stopped. A large black dragon lay dead on the stairs, a pool of blood surrounding it.

"Your Majesty, I don't know what happened," the lady in waiting cried out. "I was waiting here for my Queen to return. She was on the stairs when the midnight bells tolled. She screamed a horrible scream. My Lord, it was almost inhuman. The blood -- my Queen began to bleed as if she had been pierced through the heart. She cried out. She cried out, 'Your vow, you broke your vow.' As she fell to the ground, she became the dragon you see before you." The lady in waiting collapsed into a sobbing heap.

Andalf approached the dead dragon and reached out a shaking hand. He opened one of the great beast's eyes. It was a green eye, a green eye he knew instantly.

Andalf was snapped out of his trance-like state by screams. He looked up as a large, old dragon landed behind him.

"So my daughter is dead. She trusted you. She put her faith in you and your vow. A vow you broke for your petty jealousy. And now we shall vanish from this earth."

"I did not know," was all Andalf could say.

"And now you do," the Sage replied as he took Malandra's body and Herensuge's head into his great talons and flew into the distant sky.